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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Stop Messing With My Hormones: why and how to reduce endocrine disruptors, and why not even "BPA free" is a safe alternative

A new study by the University of Washington in St Louis found that women with high levels of endocrine disruptors - experience menopause 2-4 years earlier

You might be years away from worrying about menopause - so why should this worry you?

Well, the problem is that the list of endocrine disrupting chemicals is long and their effects are not just limited to early menopause. In fact, because of there prevelance, these might be the worse kind of chemicals especially for babies and developing fetuses. You cannot just eliminate one endocrine disruptor from your daily routine and call it a day - because chances are you are still exposing yourself and your family to a list of other endocrine disruptors, sometimes unknowingly.

Even worse news? This ‘gang’ of toxic chemicals have been linked to various types of cancers, hyperactivity, fertility problems, obesity, and the list goes on.

WHAT ARE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS AND WHY ARE THEY BAD FOR US

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are chemicals that mimic naturally occurring hormones in the body. Examples? estrogens (the female sex hormone), androgens (the male sex hormone), and thyroid hormones. Basically, they trick the body into believing and acting as if it has an over (or under) production of these hormones.

The thing with hormones is that they need to be balanced. When you have too many (or too little) of an important hormone, like estrogen, it can create havoc inside your body and the repercussions can be quite severe but might not show up until years later.

The researchers in this particular study identified 15 chemicals — nine PCBs, three pesticides, two phthalates and a furan (a toxic chemical) — that the author’s found warrant closer evaluation because they were “significantly associated with earlier ages of menopause.” The danger of an earlier menopause? It can affect fertility and lead to earlier development of heart disease, osteoporosis and other health problems.

For younger women and babies, the effects that endocrine disruptors may pose when exposure occurs during pregnant and in the first year of infancy, when organ and neural systems are forming, can be even worse.

So, what chemicals are part of this ‘gang’? Here are a couple

BPA

Bisphenol A imitates estrogen

BPA has been linked to everything from breast and others cancers to reproductive problems, obesity, early puberty and heart disease. According to government tests, 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their bodies.

The National Toxicology Program has stated they have “concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A."

BPS

The main alternative to BPA in “BPA-free products”, bisphenol S is just as bad as BPA as it causes the same ill effects by also mimicking estrogen.

Specifically, it has been linked to altering brain development and causing hyperactive behavior.

BPS is so prevalent today that it has been found in 81% of Americans - no doubt people thinking they were purchasing less toxic products by choosing BPA free.

DIOXINS

Unwanted by-products of a wide range of manufacturing processes including smelting, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp and the manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides

Affect both estrogens and androgens (male sex hormone).

Recent research has shown that exposure to low levels of dioxin in the womb and early in life can both permanently affect sperm quality and lower the sperm count in men.

Dioxins live long lives and build up in your body and are considered carcinogens.

ATRAZINE

A herbicide

It has been found, even at low levels, to turn male frogs into females that produce completely viable eggs.

Atrazine is widely used on the majority of corn crops in the United States, and consequently it’s quite commonly found in drinking water.

Atrazine has been linked to breast tumors, delayed puberty and prostate inflammation in animals, and some research has linked it to prostate cancer in people.

PHTHALATES

Chemicals that make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They are used as lubricants in cosmetics and to bind synthetic fragrance to products

Avoid hand me down (soft) plastic toys. Most phthalates have been banned from children’s toys today, however these laws are new and old soft toys probably still have phthalates

As usual, avoid plastic when possible: obt for wood, glass or stainless steel

PBDEs/ FIRE RETARDANTS

WHERE

Used to prevent the spread of fire and are likely to be found in dozens of products in your home.

They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products and electronics.

Because fire retardant chemicals tend to migrate out of the products they accumulate in the dust we breathe and touch in our house,

HOW TO AVOID

New laws in California have made purchasing upholstered furniture without fire retardants easier. Many large companies are already selling or have promised to sell fire retardant free furniture: if you are purchasing new furniture ask the company if they offer items without fire retardants.

Older furniture is likely to contain PBDEs. Show caution if reupholstering and never leave ripped foam out in the open

It is important to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and mop frequently to clean the dust that contains PCBEs

More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish.

Dioxins tend to accumulate in the fatty issue of these animals

HOW TO AVOID

Trimming fat from meat and consuming low fat dairy products

FINAL NOTE ON "BPA FREE"

I wanted to stress how important it is to try to switch out plastic all together- even when it states the plastic is "BPA or Phthalate free". So many parents (including me for my first child) purchase items labeled "BPA free" for their children thinking they are making a healthier choice, but unfortunately recent studies are shwing that this might not be the case. A study last year found that many of these products are still leaching estrogen mimicking chemicals... among products tested? Baby bottles from: born free, Avent, Green to Grow, Evenflo and Weill Baby, and Sippy Cups from : CamelBak and Weil Baby.

At the end of the day, your safest option will always be opting for glass or stainless steel when you

can. The good news is that most of these brands also sell glass baby bottles. Born Free and Evenflo sells glass baby bottles protected with colorful silicon, as does LifeFactory. Pura and Kid Kanteen are 2 of many options that sell stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups.